History of Piano: A Journey Through Time

The piano was invented in the early 1700s by Bartolomeo Cristofori. It evolved through the 18th and 19th centuries, gaining popularity in classical and romantic music. In the 20th century, upright and electric pianos became common. Today, digital pianos are widely used.

Deepak Kumar

15 events

1880

Square piano production ceases as uprights dominate markets

Urbanization favored space-efficient uprights over square pianos. This shift cemented the vertical design as the home standard, while grands remained preferred for concerts—a division still present today

1855

Steinway debuts overstrung scale square piano at World's Fair

Featuring diagonally crossed strings and full iron frame, this model delivered richer resonance. Its acclaim at New York's expo revolutionized piano acoustics, rendering older square designs obsolete

1853

Steinway & Sons founded in New York

The company's fusion of German craftsmanship and industrial innovation set new standards. Steinway pianos dominated through patented designs like cross-stringing, influencing global manufacturing

1840

American manufacturers introduce single-cast iron frame grands

This rigid frame supported higher string tension, boosting volume and tonal stability. Steinway later perfected the design, making American pianos synonymous with concert-hall power

1830

Upright piano gains popularity; "pianoforte" shortens to "piano"

Compact uprights became household staples during industrialization, while the name simplification reflected the instrument's cultural ubiquity. Both shifts marked the piano's transition from luxury to mainstream accessibility

1826

Felt hammers introduced by Jean‑Henri Pape

Jean‑Henri Pape replaced leather hammer coverings with felt. Felt provided smoother, more consistent tone and dynamic control, becoming a piano standard and enriching modern sound quality.

1825

Cast iron frame patented to support stronger tension

Alpheus Babcock patented a single‑piece cast‑iron frame in Boston. This innovation allowed heavier steel strings and stronger tension, drastically improving volume, sustain, and durability in modern pianos.

1821

Érard patents double‑escapement action

French maker Sébastien Érard introduced the double‑escapement action, enabling rapid note repetition. This innovation gave pianists greater speed and expressive possibilities, influencing all modern grand pianos.

1808

Sébastien Érard patents the agraffe for grand pianos

Érard's agraffe (string-guiding device) stabilized tuning during aggressive play. This allowed virtuosos like Beethoven and Liszt to explore powerful techniques, expanding the piano's emotional range and technical demands

1780

First upright piano built by Schmidt

Johann Schmidt of Salzburg crafted the first upright piano, placing strings vertically to reduce footprint. This compact design later evolved, making pianos more space‑efficient for homes and schools.

1771

John Broadwood enhances pianos with extended range and pedals

Broadwood added treble/bass octaves, robust strings, and sustain pedals to Zumpe's design. These improvements amplified volume and versatility, making pianos suitable for concert performances and complex compositions

1760

Zumpe invents square piano popular in London

Johannes Zumpe created a compact square piano in London using simple hammer action. Its affordability and design made it a hit in homes and salons, broadening piano ownership beyond elite circles.

1700

Cristofori builds first pianoforte

Bartolomeo Cristofori of Florence crafted the first true piano around 1700, described in a Medici inventory. Named “arpicembalo di piano e forte,” it used hammers instead of plucked strings, allowing dynamic expression. This invention marked a major leap from harpsichords and became the foundation for the modern piano.

1521

First four‑octave harpsichord by Bononiensis

Italian inventor Hieronymus Bononiensis built a four‑octave harpsichord, expanding the instrument’s range. Though not loud, this wider span allowed musicians to play more complex music and set the stage for future keyboard innovations.

1400

Invention of clavichord by Spinette

Italian luthier Giovanni Spinette developed the clavichord—a small keyboard instrument producing sound by striking strings with tangents. Its quiet tone and dynamic control made it popular domestically. Though limited in volume, it introduced dynamic expression to keyboard music and influenced later keyboard action designs.